My 2-month solo travel around Africa is over, and it was amazing!! But before going back to home to Jonathan and Empress the Sailboat, I had to make a quick side trip to Gaziantep, Turkey 🙂 I’ve been invited by Aynur, our good friend and popular Turkish Journalist. We met her last year on a sponsored press trip in Bodrum, …

To fill you in with the details in case you haven’t been following my posts, after my 2-month solo backpacking trip in Africa, I went straight to Turkey for a quick side trip before going home to Jonathan. So from Djibouti, I flew out to Istanbul and then to Gaziantep, Turkey. I’ve been invited by Aynur, our good friend, and …

After attending the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul for the second year in a row, this time as featured speakers, we joined a group of 8 other international travel bloggers on a two-day trip to Izmir, arranged by Blogger Casting and the Izmir Development Agency. Located in the south of Turkey on the Aegean coast, Izmir has hosted ancient Greeks, Romans, …

Note: This article is updated in March 2018! Providing you the ultimate list of the BEST HOSTELS IN TURKEY – includes rates, locations and great reviews that will definitely help you with your stay anywhere in Turkey! In this article, you will find the following – Best hostels in Istanbul; Best hostels in Goreme ; Best hostels in Izmir; Best hostels in Fethiye; …

At the beginning of September 2016, I decided to take a RYA sailing course in Turkey, learning to sail a 42-foot cruising sailboat in the pristine blue waters of the Turkish Mediterranean. Read on to find out why I chose to take a sailing course in Turkey and how I signed up to a RYA Competent Crew course and managed to …

If you are thinking which destination you should head to next, but working on a budget, I recommend going to Bodrum in Turkey. You might think that this isn’t the most romantic spot for young couples, but we will prove you wrong. Apart from being one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, it is also safe to visit. We should …

A perfect mixture of heritage and fashion, the19 th century features of this former row of Akaretler Row shop houses are retained and complemented beautifully throughout its 140 rooms and suites. A true sense of luxury is achieved through Marmara marble, Ottoman patterns and lighting that can be tailored to your mood. If you ever feel like leaving the comfort of your signature …

Shang Palace is Shangri-La hotel‘s signature restaurant and Shangri-La’s culinary introduction to Istanbul. It’s the best Chinese restaurant you can find in the city. Open for lunch and dinner daily; their elegant dining area is inviting diners in this fabulous city to experience the best of Chinese-Cantonese cuisine. You can also read their reviews on Tripadvisor! Exclusively for lunch every …

Göreme, is a historical town in Cappadocia, Turkey. Famous for its unique rock formations and daily hot air balloon flights during sunrise. Göreme National Park is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it’s natural unique landscape, rich history and culture that needs to be protected from damage and unsustainable development. Check out some of the cool and cheap …

On our recent visit to Istanbul, we were welcomed by the warm hospitality of Swissotel The Bosphorus. The historical city of Istanbul hosted the World Tourism Forum 2016. Our dear BZFLAG and Jonathan were cordially invited to be one of the main speakers at the event. We were totally thrilled and honoured with this new opportunity. Swissotel The Bosphorus is conveniently located …

Note: This article is updated in March 2018! Providing you the ultimate list of the BEST LUXURY HOTELS IN TURKEY – includes rates, locations and great reviews that will definitely help you with your stay anywhere in Turkey! Best Luxury Hotels in Goreme; Best Luxury Hotels in Istanbul; Best Luxury Hotels in Antalya; Best Luxury Hotels in Izmir; Best Luxury Hotels in Bursa; Best …

Meyhane Yare is a traditional bar and restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey, serving popular alcoholic beverages including the traditional drink, rakı and variety of local dishes. The Meyhane concept has a deep history in Turkey and has been a part for Turkish culture for many years since before the arrival of the Ottoman Empire. Location – Asmalımescit Sok. No: 21/A, 34430 Istanbul, Turkey …

Turkish cuisine is highly anticipated when you visit Istanbul. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to experience it’s diverse and rich flavors? There are more savory, sweet and unique dishes to explore other than the popular Turkish Delights and Doner kebabs. Our experienced guide Eda of Istanbulite, a private travel specialist, walked us through the popular, narrow and unexplored streets of the …

Few weeks ago, our team were invited to attend the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul. Shangri-la Bosphorus has warmly welcomed us on our first night in Istanbul. In my years of experience working in the hospitality industry, I have never yet encountered a Shangri-la welcome. There was nothing like it! You can also check the recent price for this property on …

The iconic Sultan Ahmet Mosque or the Blue Mosque in Istanbul is undoubtedly the most visited landmark in Istanbul. Located in Sultanahmet district, the heart of the old city where you will find more popular tourist attractions such as Topkapı Palace, Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) and the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray). The mosaics inside the Ayasofya is amazingly beautiful but many didn’t know that Chora Church located …